Rutgers running back Paul James to miss at least three weeks with leg injury

Paul James is second nationally in rushing yards despite missing part of Rutgers' win over Arkansas. (Mel Evans/AP)

Rutgers will be without starting running back Paul James at least through the Scarlet Knights' Oct. 10 game against Louisville, coach Kyle Flood confirmed Sunday.

James, the nation's second-leading rusher with 573 yards, went down with a leg injury in the third quarter of Rutgers' 28-24 win over Arkansas on Saturday. He was treated by the team's medical staff and returned to the game before re-injuring himself in the fourth quarter and not returning.

Flood described the injury to James' right leg as a "lower-leg injury" on a teleconference with reporters Sunday, per the Newark Star-Ledger.

"He will be out for a few weeks," Flood said. "He will not be back this week or against Louisville. He's going to be out for a few weeks."

Flood said he doesn't expect James to miss the entire season, but the tailback will miss at least the team's next two games. Rutgers has a bye this week before opening American Athletic Conference play against SMU on Oct. 5, followed by Louisville on Oct. 10.

James leads the Knights with six touchdowns and 7.3 yards per carry this season. Flood said he expects Savon Huggins, who began the season as Rutgers' starter, along with Justin Goodwin and Desmon Peoples, to step up in James' absence.